Page 61 of Christmas Comes to Little Valentine

“Thank you, Gee-Gee,” Nat said, going to her and bending to kiss her cheek. “You were right, as you always are, and I can’t thank you enough.”

“We want to settle here, or as close to here as we can,” Meg offered, hoping this might mollify the duke somewhat. He still looked rather thunderous. “So there will be family close at hand, if her grace needs us,” she added, giving the duke a pointed look.

Hawkney snorted. “I’m beginning to feel uncertain she needs anyone. She has the devil on her side, if you ask me.”

“Don’t be a sore loser, Hawk. I told you I was right about the girl, it’s not my fault if you won’t listen to reason,” the dowager said smugly, clearly enjoying her victory. “Well, now that’s all settled—”

“It isn’t settled!” the duke said crossly, sitting up and glaring at Meg. “Not yet. Not to my satisfaction.”

“Oh?” Nat said, a dangerous note to his voice.

“No, indeed,” Hawkney insisted. He sat back in his chair and then let out a sigh of resignation. “Miss Bancroft, I insist you tell me everything about this wretched family who treated you so ill, and about the book they stole from you.”

There was silence in the room for a moment as everyone digested this, and then Nat laughed. “Damn me, Hawk, and here I was thinking you’d completely lost your sense of honour.”

“No,” the duke grumbled irritably. “I just misplace it from time to time.”

Chapter 13

I could have danced all night…

Hatherley Hall, Little Valentine, 22nd December 1815

The following days were the happiest and the busiest Nat could ever remember. Somehow, he had rediscovered his memories of Christmas at the hall, and the magic that had always accompanied them. He was certain Meg’s presence had done it. She must be the secret ingredient that made everything seem new and wonderful but, whatever it was, he was not alone in feeling it.

As preparations for the coming ball and for Christmas became nigh on feverish, servants hurried back and forth, cleaning and polishing every inch of the house. There was always a ladder somewhere, with a footman climbing up to hang yet more decorations, and secure bunches of mistletoe in dark corners on the dowager’s instruction—this despite Hawkney’s dire predictions that every girl in the surrounding area would likely be ruined by morning.

Now they were no longer hiding some dark secret, lying to his family or in fear of discovery, Meg had finally allowed herself to relax and to get to know the people who would soon be her closest kin, no longer fearing devastation when she was forced to give up the charade. It was wonderful to see her blossom before his eyes, becoming the lively and charming girl she had always been meant to be.

Now, he looked on as Meg and Della gave instructions to the servants decorating the ballroom ready for tomorrow night. The two of them were laughing, clearly relishing the opportunity to enjoy themselves, excited for the coming ball.

Great swathes of wide red ribbon adorned the marble columns that lined the ballroom, with magnificent displays of greenery studded with scarlet silk flowers, red apples and pinecones painted gold.

“You made an excellent choice, well done.”

Nat turned, smiling as he discovered his grandmother at his elbow. He offered her his arm, and she took it, patting his sleeve with a bejewelled hand. “I feared you’d come home with an opera dancer or some witless ninny for a while there, but I misjudged you. She’s lovely, and I like her.”

“She is, and so do I,” he replied, not taking his eyes from Meg as she and Della unrolled a vast length of red velvet, bickering good-naturedly about how and where it ought to go. “And you didn’t misjudge me, Gee-Gee, fate just stepped in to ensure I didn’t make a complete mess of things.”

“Stop that now,” she said sternly. “That girl has a point. It’s about time you had a bit more faith in yourself. It’s right and proper that a fellow don’t take himself too seriously, but—”

“Tell Hawkney that,” Nat said with a snort.

She smacked his arm. “Don’t interrupt when I’m talking.”

“Sorry, Grandmother.”

“But you must stop making light of yourself, of your achievements. You’re no fool, Nathaniel. The fact that girl loves you like she does ought to be proof enough, but if it ain’t, then listen to me. You’ve got something better than some classical education, you’ve got wit and the kind of drive and intelligence to make something of yourself. Don’t squander it. Not that Meg will let you, if I know anything,” she added with a laugh.

“Thank you, dearest Gee-Gee,” Nat said, covering her hand with his. “Except for Meg, you are without a doubt my favourite person in the world.”

“Lord, don’t let your mama hear you say that,” she said, though he noted the glee in her eyes all the same. “She’ll smother me in my sleep.”

Nat laughed, and she looked up at him with her cat-in-the-cream-pot smile. “Now, then. Help an old lady back to her room, will you? Tomorrow is going to be dreadfully tiring, and I don’t intend to miss a moment, so I shall rest up today. I’m sure those girls have everything in hand, and you’ll help them out if they need it.”

“I will,” he agreed, escorting her away from the ballroom.

She nodded. “And while I think about it, remind me to get Howard to send me up a bottle of sherry and some Ratafia biscuits. I had best keep my strength up.”